The GIC automotive plastics pilot shows that recycling plastics from end-of-life vehicles is technically feasible but not commercially proven. In Europe, more than 800,000 tonnes of plastic from these vehicles are incinerated or landfilled each year.
New EU regulations require that by 2036, new cars must contain 25% recycled plastic, with at least 20% sourced from closed-loop vehicle recycling. Currently, the closed-loop share of recycled plastic in vehicles stands at only 2.5%. Charlie Tan, a spokesperson for the initiative, emphasized, “Closing the loop on automotive plastics is no longer a question of ambition, it is a question of execution.”
This pilot project was initiated by the chemical industry to assess the potential for recycling automotive plastics. However, while the technology exists to recycle these materials, establishing a reliable commercial framework has proven challenging.
In related news, Ontario has recently reduced the required percentage of recycled tires from 85% to 65%, effective January 2025. This decision aims to prevent stockpiling of old tires after hundreds of thousands accumulated at two sites last fall. Peter Tabuns criticized this move: “They don’t deal with the fundamental problem. This government rolled back the percentage of tires that should be recycled, from 85 to 65, and it isn’t correcting that.”
Tires pose significant environmental risks as they are flammable and release toxic pollution when burned. Karen Wirsig pointed out these dangers, underlining the need for effective tire recycling methods.
Ontario’s government expects producers and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) to manage all end-of-life tires as they become available. Gary Wheeler stated, “Our government expects producers and PROs to collect and manage all end-of-life tires as they become available.”
The challenges faced in both automotive plastics and tire recycling illustrate a broader struggle within the circular economy framework. As stakeholders work toward compliance with EU regulations and sustainable practices, many questions remain about how effectively these systems can be implemented.
